conclusion

noun

con·​clu·​sion kən-ˈklü-zhən How to pronounce conclusion (audio)
1
a
: a reasoned judgment : inference
The obvious conclusion is that she was negligent.
b
: the necessary consequence of two or more propositions taken as premises
especially : the inferred proposition of a syllogism
2
: the last part of something
The team was exhausted at the conclusion of the game.
: such as
a
: result, outcome
The peace talks came to a successful conclusion.
b
conclusions plural : trial of strength or skill
used in the phrase try conclusions
c
: a final summation
the counsel's conclusion to the jury
d
: the final decision in a law case
e
: the final part of a pleading in law
3
: an act or instance of concluding
hoped for a quick conclusion to the war

Examples of conclusion in a Sentence

The evidence does not support the report's conclusions. The evidence points to the inescapable conclusion that she was negligent. The logical conclusion is that she was negligent. What led you to that conclusion? They haven't yet arrived at a conclusion. the conclusion of a business deal The case was finally brought to conclusion last week.
Recent Examples on the Web General sale for the tour will begin on Friday, March 22 at 10 a.m. local time following the conclusion of select presale opportunities, which begin on Wednesday, March 20. Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 20 Mar. 2024 The bank’s board voted 7-2 to set a new policy rate range of between 0% and 0.1%, shifting from a -0.1% short-term interest rate, according to a statement at the conclusion of its two-day meeting Tuesday. Toru Fujioka, Fortune Asia, 19 Mar. 2024 Plympton was found guilty of first-degree murder by a judge at the conclusion of his bench trial on Friday, prosecutors said. Liam Quinn, Peoplemag, 19 Mar. 2024 To paraphrase the conclusions of last year’s UN Water Conference: In coming years, places with abundant water will begin to see scarcity; places with short supply will find supply shorter. Tamar Adler, Vogue, 18 Mar. 2024 New studies by the National Institutes of Health failed to find evidence of brain injury in scans or blood markers of the diplomats and spies who suffered symptoms of Havana syndrome, bolstering the conclusions of U.S. intelligence agencies about the strange health incidents. Julian E. Barnes, New York Times, 18 Mar. 2024 The Giants’ left fielder had about a month to mull his options once his season ended, but only five days from the conclusion of the World Series. Evan Webeck, The Mercury News, 16 Mar. 2024 The spacecraft was expected to splash down in the Indian Ocean at the conclusion of the flight, putting the gargantuan vehicle in a position to move on to more complex test flights and, eventually, carry NASA astronauts to the moon’s surface. Jackie Wattles, CNN, 14 Mar. 2024 An investigation commissioned by Uvalde city leaders, presented during a city council meeting Thursday, defended the response by local police in the deadly 2022 shooting at Robb Elementary School, prompting several family members to walk out of the meeting and denounce conclusions of the report. USA TODAY, 8 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'conclusion.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin conclusion-, conclusio, from concludere — see conclude

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of conclusion was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near conclusion

Cite this Entry

“Conclusion.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/conclusion. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

conclusion

noun
con·​clu·​sion kən-ˈklü-zhən How to pronounce conclusion (audio)
1
: a final decision reached by reasoning
came to the conclusion that we couldn't go
2
a
: the last part of something : end
b
: a final result : outcome
c
: a final summing up
the conclusion of a speech
3
: an act or instance of concluding

Legal Definition

conclusion

noun
con·​clu·​sion kən-ˈklü-zhən How to pronounce conclusion (audio)
1
: a judgment or opinion inferred from relevant facts
our conclusion upon the present evidenceMissouri v. Illinois, 200 U.S. 496 (1905)
2
a
: a final summarizing (as of a closing argument)
b
: the last or closing part of something
3
: an opinion or judgment offered without supporting evidence
specifically : an allegation made in a pleading that is not based on facts set forth in the pleading

More from Merriam-Webster on conclusion

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